TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTICIPANTS
I recently came back from Melbourne the Photographer’s Mount Bromo Tour. The weekend was packed full of great photo opportunities and memorable moments. The packed and busy schedule kept me interested throughout. Having already attended the “Digital Camera” and “Hands On” seminars, where I learnt so much from Melbourne’s vast experience, I was then able to put it all into practice. Melbourne was always on-hand to help out and advise on the best settings, camera angles and compositions. The schedule was well researched and well put together by both Melbourne and Maria. Melbourne is always willing to share his knowledge and always seems to welcome questions (however futile) from the group members. The group sizes on both the seminars and workshop have been comfortable and made up of people with varied levels of experience; again Melbourne has the patience to help the less experienced members and the knowledge to help those with more experience. I personally feel that I have gained considerable knowledge from Melbourne and the courses I have attended. If you want an enjoyable learning experience, then this is definitely value for money that exceeds all my expectations. I WILL be attending future workshops.Chris Boden, Jakarta
I have been interested in photography for the last five years, basically since living in Indonesia. I always thought my photography was more hit and miss than good planning or technique.Like many before me I read all the books and bought the latest magazines. I am also the proud owner of some fairly nice kit. The question for me was how I put the knowledge I have into making good photography.I found one of Melbourne’s cards at my local camera store, as I had been looking for an English speaking photography course I decided to give him a call and see what was on offer.This was one of the best moves I could have made, under Melbourne’s guidance I discovered what my camera was capable of and learned what I was capable of with my camera.I have since taken two courses and a photo workshop to Mt Bromo with Melbourne.The trip to Bromo was the highlight. It’s not often you can go to a natural wonder such as Mt Bromo, with a professional photographer as your guide and Mentor and a fantastic group of similarly enthusiastic photographers. I have several photographs from the trip which will eventually make their way to a wall in my home.Unfortunately I have recently left Indonesia and will no longer have the chance to progress my photography through Melbourne’s instruction and guidance but would recommend to anybody with an interest or passion in photography to get in contact with Melbourne and Maria and develop your skills.Peter Beasley, Australia
I can highly recommend the Digital Camera Seminar and Hands-On Practical Workshop run by Melbourne. As a keen photographer in my spare time, I found these courses and the follow up two-day introduction and “hands-on” Photoshop courses extremely interesting and informative. Melbourne has a wealth of experience as a professional commercial photographer but has plenty of patience for the less experienced student and numerous practical tips for the more experienced attendees to try. The courses cover a wide range of topics with opportunity to practice each using your own camera. Any questions were always welcome and Melbourne was happy to help with any specific problems with students cameras. Maria ensures that everyone eats well during the day with plenty of tea, coffee, food and soft drinks available. All in all, a very enjoyable weekend with, I believe, everyone coming away eager to try out the new techniques learnt.Graham Baker, Jakarta
I recently attended the Session A and Session B Photoshop seminar and workshop held by Melbourne. I thoroughly enjoyed the courses, the content was easy to follow and very informative. I am using the new techniques I have learned on my photo"s and having great results. Although now I want to learn more!! The course is held in a very relaxed comfortable setting, the food provided is wonderful and Maria is a delightful, helpful lady. I would definitely attend the "next" Photoshop course after this one... whenever it is created!Samantha Bowden, Jakarta
I attended Melbourne’s introductory photography courses Parts 1 and Part 2 over a single weekend. This was a fantastic way to bring myself up to speed on using my camera in terms of basic functionality of the mechanism and also in terms of thinking about my shots and how to shoot them. The courses are casual but cover a large amount of material and Melbourne’s teaching style is so personable and open to make what I expected to be long days, go by quickly. I had a great time and could immediately see an improvement in my technique. Even better, what I picked up in that course has stuck with me better than any camera instruction I’ve had in the past. I had such a good experience that I immediately signed up for the Photoshop courses. Again, I attended the 2 day course with 1 day of discussion followed up by a day of hands-on exercises. I’ve been using Photoshop for maybe 10 years or more so I wasn’t sure how much I’d get out of a course. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out that I was learning new techniques constantly over the course of the weekend. Adobe Photoshop is a fantastic tool for manipulating graphics and anyone who really wants to seriously work with photographic images should invest in the software. The program is so rich and varied that I believe anyone can gain hugely by learning techniques other people use. All of Melbourne’s courses I’ve attended are reasonably priced and the content is well worth the cost of the course, absolutely no doubt. Melbourne is a refreshing instructor with a wonderful artistic style that meshes well with his professional photography. Both artists and professionals stand to gain a lot from working with Melbourne. Philip Teas, Jakarta
“The 3 day photo-tour to the stunningly beautiful but remote and certainly “bule-free” island of Belitung off the coast of Sumatra was an absolute delight. Melbourne’s patient and constructive advice coupled with Maria’s logistical masterpiece to transport, lodge and feed a small but eclectic bunch of expats and Indonesians resulted in a truly memorable break in which I learned some great techniques and took some great shots. The fast pace of the 3 days allowed us to learn and see as much as possible. Definitely to be recommended.”Martin Humphreys, JakartaMy trip with Melbourne to Belitung Island was unforgettable. Not only is Belitung an unmatched unspoiled beautiful piece of paradise but the things I learned in 3 days would have taken me years to master on my own. Having Melbourne with you, assisting you in developing your skills and reviewing the results together gives you so much feedback that the next day you can go out and correct your mistakes and experiment with some new stuff. If you"re looking to learn fast and have great fun doing it, go with Melbourne and Maria. They are such excellent hosts, everything is thought of in advance and arranged to make you feel relaxed and ready to SHOOT!Erik ten Have, Jakarta
I attended the weekend Belitung Island Photo tour and thoroughly enjoyed the time visiting and photographing a new part of Indonesia I hadn"t visited. Melbourne"s style of discussing the various aspects of the location and how to shoot along with each person and then having time to explore what they wanted to capture was a good mix. He made sure to spend time with each person to offer help while they were shooting or just pointing out aspects that they might want to consider during their picture taking. Many different compositional aspects were covered in the trip from landscape photo shots, panoramic shooting techniques, sunset scenes all the way up to taking close-up photos of village people in their natural day to day settings in markets and fishing villages. The evening dinners provided ample time in a group setting to review shots taken during the day and to gain valuable insight based on comments from others in the group and from Melbourne. You could then take those thoughts along with you on the next day"s shooting sessions and see a real difference it was making in your skills as a photographer. The participants in my Belitung Island tour were varied in their photographic skill sets and Melbourne was able to accommodate the needs of the group with no problems. The logistics were excellent and my feeling is everyone enjoyed the weekend no matter how many pictures they took. Be prepared with several memory cards because if you want you will have many opportunities to experiment and capture wonderful photographs. I would recommend the trip to anyone wanting to learn more about photography and look forward in booking another trip with Melbourne and Maria to learn and see even more. Gary Ford, Jakarta
I attended the 2 days class on “Getting the Best from Your Digital Camera Seminar & Hands-On Practical Workshop” in September’09 and enjoyed it tremendously. The class was informal and it’s great to have a group of people who are enthusiastic about photography learning together from a hands-on professional like Melbourne. He gave us an overview about the basics one needs to know before indulging into photography and gave us the best advice any instructor could offer He said, “After the class, go out there and snap a couple of hundreds of photos and you’ll get the hang of it very soon!”. I did and I’m glad I took the class before going out to buy my new DSLR camera. The best approach would be to take the “Getting the Best Seminar” before you buy your DSLR camera and then come back for the “Hands-On Workshop” immediately after you buy the camera or go borrow one for the session. I have learned a lot and look forward to the photo tours and the Adobe Photoshop session next to enhance my skills after basics. I’ve recommended people for the class and hopefully they’ll take it if they are serious about photography. Price is reasonable given the class size, ambience, good food & host and such a great instructor like Melbourne who is willing to share his knowledge & experiences with us!May Ng, Jakarta
The Session A Photoshop seminar was very well organized course, ideal class size, good value and included a good lunch.Melbourne conducted the lesson very well that made me understand all the potential improvements we can utilize in Photoshop. It was a really great introduction to Photoshop.I am supposed to be in the Photoshop Session B but unfortunately it is always on Sunday and that is hard for me to make myself available.Handoko Taniwidjojo, JakartaSome months ago I attended the Part 1 “Getting the Best from Your Digital Camera seminar. After attending the seminar I then stopped using “Auto-Only” and learned how to use the various modes and features of my camera.The seminar group size was ideal and the pace was good. Melbourne’s style of instruction is to-the-point, professional and never boring.When I have time I will attend Melbourne’s Part 2 Hands-On Practical workshop and also attend a photo tour and workshop.The seminar was great value for money and I have recommended Melbourne to my friends.Helmy de Korver, Jakarta
I really enjoyed your Session A and B Photoshop courses and believe that I learned a lot. Now I need time to "play", review, and apply the things I learned. Maria, you went above and beyond with the snacks and food you made for us! Thanks for the treat!I think that the American Women’s Association members would find your presentation very interesting and I have no doubt that people would want to follow up by taking a course.Thanks again for a thoroughly enjoyable and educational weekend!Becky Radtke, JakartaHi Melbourne and Maria – I’ve meant to do this all last week – but thanks for the brilliant trip to Belitung Island – everything was great…. your planning and organization – selection of the spots, hotel, restaurants could not be faulted. You really know how to take care of people and do it so well, and a bonus…. I got to learn something – I’m much more comfortable with my camera now. I know so much more than 6 months ago because you have a great way of imparting your knowledge… So thank you.Elana Findlow, Jakarta
I attended the Part 1 and Part 2 weekend digital photography course, and also the Photoshop Session A and Session B Photoshop courses. I found both extremely interesting and enjoyable, and have since put what I learned to good use! In particular I found the course materials very well put together, useful and easy to follow. They are a great resource for further practice and study.The courses were great value and I think you have a gift for teaching!Mark Saunders-Davies, Jakarta My wife, who is a keen photographer, persuaded me to join one of Melbourne"s tours to Belitung. Initially I had planned to tag along and once I"d had enough of "aperture priority and ISOs" I"d slope off to the nearest warung for refreshment. But that"s not what happened. Melbourne and Maria had selected a superb series of locations and almost immediately I had relinquished the trusty pocket digital camera for the heavier SLR with its confusing dials and knobs, determined to make use of what turned out to be a marvellous opportunity to experiment with aperture and speed. Melbourne"s pedagogical style is collaborative, not prescriptive and it was clear that he was as comfortable working with the expert amateur as much as with the beginner. Particular highlights were the evening reviews of the day"s work, with Melbourne providing solid advice and critique on our individual efforts. Our small party was blessed with the full range of weather and light conditions, which was a bonus, but I wouldn"t hesitate to recommend Melbourne"s photographic tours to anyone interested in developing their camera skills".William Daniel, Jakarta
We recently took a photo tour of Chinatown in Jakarta with Melbourne and Maria and would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who is keen to get out and photograph the markets and local people, the majority of whom were very keen to be photographed.It was an opportunity to get out and take some fantastic photos in the company of people who not only know the area well, but understand where to look for the best scenes.Melbourne was very observant of our capabilities and always seemed to be there offering advice and guidance whenever it was required.We are very much looking forward to our next outing with Melbourne and Maria.Shaun and Alix Richardson, SingaporeShooting on Belitung Island with Melbourne and Maria felt for me as finding some brilliants under the sand. The whole tour was excellently organized and the local guides were really superb. There was never a dull moment, because one day we were on the beautiful sea/islands and the next day we visited a fish/vegetable market. On a certain moment I was running out of memory cards and I can tell you ....I brought a lot, but luckily Melbourne was there with some!What touched me most was the way Melbourne and Maria organize and photograph…. working together ....filled with passion. This really gave me a boost. Last but not least Melbourne is never afraid to share photography knowledge and that"s really great. No question is a stupid question for Melbourne and he is always willing to help you out. Thanks guys I had the time of my life!!Hanneke Mennens, Jakarta
I highly recommend Melbourne and Photo Tours Indonesia to anyone looking to take their photography to the next level. Whether you have just bought a new point and shoot and want to take advantage of all the digital features or you are an experienced photographer who wants one-on-one advice from a seasoned professional, you will not be disappointed! Take advantage of one of PTI’s photography tours, like I did to Mount Bromo in East Java, and you will get to put your new skills and knowledge to use and see immediate and dramatic results!Michael Hirsch, HoustonI went on a photo tour with Melbourne and Maria to Mt. Bromo and loved every minute of it!We were a group of 10 photo enthusiasts and got along very well. The group was just the right size and we not only enjoyed ourselves but also learnt a lot about photography. I learnt more about the many possibilities my camera has to offer and how to use them. Melbourne is not only very knowledgeable but also a great teacher who spent time with every group member, giving one-on-one hands-on tuition. I felt very well looked after and am looking forward to going on another photo tour with Melbourne and Maria!Vera Paulin, Jakarta
Hello Melbourne & Maria,I enjoyed the Part 1 Getting the Best from Your Digital Camera seminar very much and the Part 2 Hands-On Practical Photography was most enjoyable too.I got a lot of tips that will help me improve my images and decide on how I want them to appear.The pace was just right and both courses exceeded my expectations.I thought I would have some difficulties with the language, but Melbourne was so clear that this was not a problem.I have and will recommend these courses to friends. I loved the way Melbourne transmits his passion for photography.Another bonus…Maria’s food…excellentI want to thank you both, I loved the seminar and workshop, I love you two, and all the small details that made it unforgettable! Florencia Radi, Jakarta“I am a beginner and had owned my new DLSR camera for 4 months when I decided to attend Melbourne’s Introduction to Adobe Photoshop Seminar and Hands-On Workshop. I am well experienced in PC basic applications but had never used Photoshop before. The 2 days I spent at the seminar and workshop turned out to be very practical since Melbourne shows his experience in making best use of Photoshop as a post- processing tools. You won’t get any unnecessary terminology, instead Melbourne gets down to all the basics of taking photographs and demonstrating how Photoshop can help you to enhance, if not cure, your original shots. The fact that Melbourne keeps the size of class to 10-12 participants really makes him available as your personal trainer. I am glad that I took this 2 days workshop since my photography skills have improved significantly. But the best of all is his sincere after class support to my query and for all of that you pay only fraction of similar class provided by other local professional photography class. I am looking forward to join other workshops and tours provided by Melbourne.”Didit Mehta Pariadi, Jakarta
Melbourne made the concepts of photography and Photoshop easy to understand and fun to learn, when I attended Part 1, Part 2 and Session A. The group got a lot of feedback and the exercises really reinforced the techniques that Melbourne was teaching.I learned to be less afraid to take my camera out of auto mode and experiment with the settings. I also finally understood how f stops, shutter speeds, and apertures apply when taking a photo. The courses were well paced especially for a rank beginner like me.I am pleased to recommend Melbourne to my friends since the whole experience exceeded my expectations.Group size was small enough to allow participation by all students and allow for one-on-one instruction.Melbourne succeeded in making the material easy to understand and interaction with the group made the class enjoyable.Were the courses good values for money? Getting to learn photography from a world class photographer is priceless. Great value!!!Nieve Yockkim, U.S.A.Melbourne and Maria bring their many years of experience and enthusiasm for the art to make learning photographic techniques interesting and fun. I attended the Part 1 Getting the Best From Your Digital Camera 1 day seminar but due to temporary work re-location I haven’t been able to attend more courses during the past year. However, I certainly plan to schedule my 2010 around their courses and photo tours.Keith Morgan, KabulI knew about the workshop from a brochure at JPC Kemang and I decided to join the Part 1 "Getting the Best from Your Digital Camera Seminar" and Part 2 "Hands-On Practical Photography Workshop". For the Part 1, I found it was easy to catch up. Melbourne always introduces the jargon with an easy-to-understand explanation, an example that relates to the jargon, and sometimes he shares his experiences when he encounters those situations. He has done a great job preparing visual examples about what we"re learning about in the class. Part 1 covered almost everything we need as a beginner with an acceptable learning pace.The Part 2 workshop style of learning was totally different than Part 1. In Part 1, mostly it was one-way-teaching whilst in Part 2 it was like sharing. We"re doing what we had learned in Part 1, we did a lot of shots from which we could see the work of aperture, shutter speed, and distance.I found the group size of 18 for Part 1 and 12 for Part 2 was suitable for all of us. With a small group we can talk to each other more personally. Melbourne created a homey ambience during the seminar and in this way the discussion was not boring at all. I think the seminar and workshop are great value for money, where else can you get an award winning instructor at that price? The answer is only Melbourne. I"m looking forward for the Photoshop seminar and workshop, also the photo tours.Audi Budiman, Jakarta I have attended Part 1 and 2 of the Digital Camera Seminar and the trip to Mount Bromo and Belitung Island. I really enjoyed the hands-on instruction both in the classroom scenario as well as on the field trips. I feel far more confident in using the features of my camera and the quality and composition of my photos has improved enormously.I can recommend the field trips; their small group size has meant lots of contact with Melbourne to answer questions and the review time in the evening to critique the photos taken by the group during the day was extremely valuable.Maria and Melbourne have put together great packages to fascinating locations. The tours are well organised and well worth the investment.I look forward to the next trip and would not hesitate to recommend their courses.Dinah Eichmann, JakartaThank you for a wonderful course. I arrived believing that I was going to have to upgrade to a fancy camera in order to create exciting photographs. I left knowing that there was nothing wrong with my camera – all I had to do was take it off Auto, learn what it was capable of doing and have the confidence to experiment! I am looking forward to the next course……..Vivien Brelsford, JakartaMelbourne’s Part 1 and Part 2 courses are great! In two short days he tamed my beast and saved me many hours of reading complex instruction manuals - plus it was great fun""Melbourne makes my hobby become so real now - I always looking forward for the next seminar and course ".Ari Samuels, JakartaDear Melbourne and Maria I just wanted to let you know how much we both enjoyed all the fantastic photography courses which we have attended. I was very nervous at the start of the first course "Getting the best from your digital camera".Being a complete beginner, I had no idea what all the buttons on my camera were for or how to use them! The first day was intense but, by the end of it, I felt much more comfortable with the various settings and adjustments that I could use. I think the relatively small group made and your relaxed approach made it easy to ask questions which helped a lot! The "Practical workshop" the next day was brilliant! The various excercises really made it clear how and when to use each setting and I suspect the fact that at one stage I ended up upside down taking shots up through a tree is a fair indication of just how comfortable I felt by the end of the day! Before the course, I rarely used the camera - now it"s never far from my side! Following on with the Photoshop course means that I can now have fun with the photos I take. Again, I was initially wary of the software as it seemed SO complicated but the course; workshop and the "take home" manual have now unlocked the mysteries and I have had a great time impressing family and friends by touching up and improving photos for them - making them smile both in print and in person! I think all the courses you have provided have been brilliant: practical; informative; excellent value and, most of all, great fun! I have already recommended you to many of our friends and will continue to do so. The hospitality you show and, of course, Maria"s fantastic lunches, make the days worth attending just for that. One of these days, we will make it along to a photo tour...... I can"t wait! Thanks again.Gillian Barrett, Jakarta Comments about Melbourne’s photographs in the cook book Papaya Flower written by Petty Elliott:Dear Melbourne,I have just seen Papaya Flower! It is beautiful! Your photographs are superb: the recipe and close up food shots are stunning. The crispness of the green bean… the fluffiness of a cake… the freshness of the fish: almost tangible in the photos.Excellent job! I shall be a very proud owner of the book!Melanie Wood, JakartaDear Petty,Papaya Flower is stunning! And very professional-looking! You and Melbourne have done an excellent job.I can’t wait to go home and try some of the recipes – and I shall try very hard not to drip coconut milk across the photographs as I do! Although really good cookbooks always end up with bits of ingredients crushed into their pages – so perhaps I look forward to dusting the pages with flour and thumbprints of olive oil as I work through them!Melbourne’s photographs are a wonderful complement to your recipes (look at p.116: you can feel the texture of sauce and the rice!). Petty, you should be very proud: Papaya Flower is a beautiful achievement. I am certainly now a very proud owner of it and am very pleased to have been able to contribute.Time to celebrate with a couple of Minahasa Mojitos!Melanie Wood, JakartaHi Melbourne,I didn"t get a chance to catch you after the Evening Lecture last night to say CONGRATULATIONS on a job WELL DONE. Your photography in the book truly is inviting to the culinary palette. Sincerely, Terry Melendez, JakartaDear Melbourne,Glad to hear that everyone involved in the Papaya Flower cook book project have experienced outstanding reviews. I believe your amazing photographs have been a big contribution as well as the food styling, copywriting, editing, design, printing and the recipes themselves. It is really good to do a project with a very professional team.Congratulations for your excellent resolution of outstanding images, hope to work with you on other projects soon!Albert Tejasukmana, Papaya Flower designer, JakartaPapaya Flower is a stunning piece of work that would tastefully grace any coffee table….Petty Elliott’s first book is beautifully presented, with stunning photography by Melbourne…..….every one of Melbourne’s many pictures, whether of scenery, raw ingredients or finished dishes is a delight.Excerpts from the article “Feasting on Papaya” The Jakarta Globe, Nov 12th 2009.Tracie Barrett, The Jakarta GlobeMany thanks for the hospitality at the Adobe Photoshop training during the weekend. It was a really enjoyable event and one that has gone a long way to removing the "fear" of the Photoshop beast. Clearly the tip of the iceberg, the courses really did provide a strong foundation for the future. Next thing is ensuring that I have the discipline to spend time working on it! I am keen to attend your next Chinatown photo walk event. Please keep me posted.Elton Carran, JakartaI have attended Melbourne’s Seminar last April 17 and 18, 2010 (Parts I and II in one weekend). I have to say it exceeded my expectations in every possible way. It was nothing like a boring school class about photography. The location is set up to make you feel like you are gathering with friends to talk about photography. The seminar is conducted as a two ways event where all participants can talk and Melbourne is very good in encouraging you to ask all kinds of questions you may have, from the most basic to the most advanced topic. He is as good to talk to those who know nothing about photography as he is to talk to those who knows more about it. Melbourne and Maria are wonderful people and they do whatever they can to make you feel like you have known them forever. I can"t finish without mentioning the food. Oh my, Maria"s wonderful food... I have to say I am very picky in terms of food and it was my main concern before the seminar. I wish I could have stayed a few days more. Maria is a great cook and food was delicious + real black coffee. Yummy. Well, back to photography: I recommend the seminars to everyone interested in learning more about this fascinating subject (it doesn"t matter if you have simple point and shoot or DSLR camera, you will enjoy and learn anyway). I have already booked the photo tour to Mount Bromo and will attend the Photoshop Seminars and other activities for sure.Luis Henrique Unterleider, Jakarta I attended Melbourne"s Session “A” - Introduction to Photoshop forPhotographers Seminar on Saturday 24 April 2010 and definitely can"t wait to attend Session B! The seminar helped me increase my knowledge further with the world of Photoshop and it"s capabilities. It"s also a great way to connect with other photo enthusiasts in Jakarta. Personally, once you see Melbourne"s images, you know you"re in great hands to help you move forward in photography; they are very inspiring. Thanks Melbourne and Maria for a great day and I look forward to attending further seminars and tours. Sally Bianco, JakartaI thoroughly enjoyed Melbourne"s GTBFYDC Seminar as I started to understand all the things I have wanted to know about cameras without getting overwhelmed.Melbourne"s method of presentation is very easy to follow, without being patronising, and at the same time stimulating. He made sure you "got it" without it becoming boring.I was impressed by Melbourne"s professional approach and sensitivity to his participants needs.We were made to feel very much at home by Melbourne and Maria"s gracious hospitality. Melbourne and Maria make a great team.I highly recommend this seminar as a starting point to understanding your digital camera and I can"t wait to attend the Hands On Practical Workshop!I recently attended the "Part1: Getting the Best From Your Digital Camera" seminar and was very impressed. The course content was presented in an informative, relaxed style and was supported with examples to demonstrate topics discussed. I left the seminar feeling confident about using my camera and experimenting with newly learnt techniques. I was also impressed with the service provided by both Melbourne and Maria. They run a very professional, friendly operation and helped with questions I had both before and after the course.This course is great for helping you to understand your camera and improve your photography. Jannine O"Meara, JakartaMany thanks for the awesome photo course in mid-April - it was great and I have had much better photos already since then! Next in line is just more practice... and getting a better lens :-) I am interested in your Chinatown photo walk and also the “Learn to See” seminar.Minna Piekkari, JakartaThe Belitung photo workshop that I was in recently, was really well organized. Great accommodation, excellent food and well planned itinerary.Very effective photography tips and result discussions along the trip.Handoko Taniwidjojo, JakartaI thoroughly enjoyed Melbourne"s "Getting The Best From Your Digital Camera seminar, because I started to understand all the things I have wanted to know about cameras, without getting overwhelmed.Melbourne"s method of presentation is very easy to follow, without being patronising, and at the same time stimulating. He made sure you "got it" without it becoming boring.I was impressed by Melbourne"s professional approach and sensitivity to his participants needs. We were made to feel very much at home by Melbourne and Maria"s gracious hospitality. Melbourne and Maria make a great team.I highly recommend this seminar as a starting point to understanding your digital camera, and I can"t wait to attend the Part 2 Hands-On Practical workshop.Julia McDonald, JakartaI"m not sure I can add anything to the testimonials you have already published. They say it all. I enjoyed the Part 1 seminar - not least for your obvious enthusiasm in trying to pass on some of your knowledge in an uncomplicated way. Thanks a lot. I"ll be back for Part 2 later!Richard Codrington, JakartaThank you both for a wonderful weekend. Great trip, well structured and organised to perfection as usual and a great group of people. Melbourne and Maria you make a great team. Alix and Shaun Richardson, Singapore (Returning guests)Thank you both so much for a wonderful trip to Mount Bromo. We all thoroughly enjoyed it.Vivien Brelsford, Jakarta (Returning guest)Regarding the photo workshop to Mount Bromo last weekend…in one word OUTSTANDING! I really had a wonderful time. Priceless memories. Many thanks.Hanneke Mennens, Jakarta (Returning guest)I have to say thanks for such a great weekend and as always it was so nice to feel well taken care of and given so much information. I never feel afraid to ask anything. The location was stunning and the extras you arranged were perfect. I have to say that you offer one of the best learning experiences I have ever used .. Cheers.Elana Findlow, Bali (Returning guest)Just a quick note to say thanks again for the photos - they look great and have received an envious nod of approval from my new boss!I very much appreciated your ability to capture exactly the images I wanted in a thoroughly enjoyable and highly professional shoot. The final images were easily the best portraits I have had done in many years and I look forward to using them in many different contexts, personal and professional. Thanks again and all the bestSteve Bowen, SingaporeIf you are thinking of beginning an interest in photography or, as in my case rekindling lost skills and developing new ones, then Melbourne is the man to go to. After many years of lapsed attention I decided to get involved again; this time with digital and the immense possibilities that Adobe Photoshop had to offer to rescue my naff shots and make them ’come to life’.I attended Melbourne’s Parts 1 and 2 Photography Training Courses and then Sessions A and B of Adobe Photoshop Training and am now a reborn photography addict.In addition to the training courses, I recently attended the Mount Bromo field trip which, quite frankly, has been one of the highlights of my travel experience in Indonesia. It is one thing to provide marvelous tuition in a controlled studio environment but, quite another to plan, execute and satisfy a number of differing characters involved in a field trip. Melbourne, supported in full measure by the ‘back-of-house team’ called Maria provided an outstanding, flawless, travel and photographic experience.What is the secret of their success you may ask?The answer is one-on-one tuition for all group members, patience, humor, passion, attention to detail and organizational skill.I have already signed up for further field trips and would encourage you to do the same.Well done Melbourne and Maria.Tony Johnston, JakartaThe 3 Day Belitung Photo Tour and Workshop was the second tour I have attended (previous was Bromo) and I have to say Melbourne and Maria are keeping up the standards. They took care of us very well in every possible aspect (very well arranged and organized tour, with highlights in the areas where transportation and food are not easily available) and technically speaking Melbourne is always happy to help us with our questions (it doesn’t matter which level you are or how silly your questions may look) and on the top of it he is always giving important advice on new photo techniques, composition and lighting. The group size is perfect so each one can have his/her own one-on-one time with the master. I recommend Melbourne and Maria’s seminars and photo tours for everyone interested in learning about photography and/or improving existing knowledge. Can"t wait until November for the Cambodia tour! Cheers...Luis H Unterleider, JakartaI went on a morning shoot around Jakarta’s Chinatown with some clear ‘learning’ goals in mind, and came away having achieved all that and more. Melbourne very quickly understood my current strengths and weaknesses in digital photography and was able to encourage the former while ensuring I made real progress on the latter. The results were immediately and clearly visible in the images I shot that day, and in some of the digital post-processing I did later at Melbourne’s suggestion. In addition Melbourne and Maria were charming, easy company and clearly have a strong partnership; I felt I was in very good hands throughout. I came away from this first session with renewed enthusiasm for a hobby I have already practiced for many years, and I look forward to the next adventure with Melbourne.Amit Kar, JakartaAs learners, improvers or, snake-bitten photo travellers, if you"ve ever wanted to shoot those exotic beach scenes of clear water, white beaches azure skies and dramatic rock formations, then the Belitung 3-Day Photo Tour and Workshop is the trip for you. As usual Melbourne and Maria"s attention to details in selection of local assistants, service providers and accommodation was exemplarity and ensured everyone of all standards had a brilliantsocial time and photographically rewarding weekend. Further chances for portraiture in the local villages and markets were assured as friendly local people responded to the interest being shown in them. This was further made possible by the thoughtful actions of Maria who eased our way by distributing photo prints from previous trips to the subjects themselves causing great delight and trust.A brilliant weekend. See you all again on the next one!Tony Johnston, JakartaI recently attended Melbourne’s Part 1: Getting the best from your Digital Camera Seminar and Part 2: Hands-On Practical Workshop on 9th and 10th October 2010. I have had my DSLR since December last year and was hardly taking it out as I wasn"t sure what I was doing wrong. I have spent a lot on various Photography books and DVDs hoping for some insight into what I was doing wrong and I learned some things but not what I wanted. I went online and found Melbourne"s site and booked the Parts 1 and 2 as soon as I could. Maria was very helpful in organizing this and Melbourne has a great teaching style which makes you feel relaxed while learning at the same time. I have really good photography equipment so felt stupid at first as I didn"t know half of the controls on my camera but Melbourne straight away said, "No question is a stupid question" The first day is spent going over all your camera controls finding out where everything is and then understanding what it is all for. The second day is hands on practical photography from Portraiture, Macro, understanding Depth of Field, appreciating Light and how to control it and also various indoor shooting techniques. This is a full-on course but you can go at your own pace, Melbourne is always on hand if you don"t understand a technique or your photos don"t come out as planned. These courses helped me tremendously and before day 1 was finished, I had signed up for the photo shoot of Chinatown in Jakarta on 31st October. I will be recommending these courses to my friends and would like to thank Melbourne for his excellent teaching and Maria for her excellent food. I look forward to attending Melbourne’s photo tours next year.Rab Mann, JakartaI recently completed the Part 1 and Part 2 of Melbourne"s Digital Photography Courses. I enrolled in the course as my husband recently purchased a Digital SLR and I was totally clueless. The course definitely exceeded my expectations. I no longer shoot using the Auto setting on my camera, instead I am able to think about my shots and adjust my camera accordingly. The courses were very professionally run, and I would definitely recommend the course to anyone who wants to learn more about their camera and digital photography. Melbourne also provided invaluable advice on what equipment to purchase. Melbourne"s enthusiasm for photography is contagious, afterthe 2 days I was truly inspired to go out and get some great shots. Dana Galligan, JakartaYesterday, I attended the Part 2 Hands-On practical photography workshop. The topics are well organized and highlight the most basic but important things to stop shooting in FULL AUTO mode.Melbourne not only shared his valuable experience, but also provided recommendations for basic photography gear must-haves. I enjoyed very much the flower & cake photography session.The class size was ideal and the refreshments and lunch are great. The workshop was great value for money and I can’t wait for the next photo tour and Photoshop workshop.Selvy Ngantung, JakartaThe 3-day photography workshop in Bali was excellent. It was very well organized and included a wide range of shooting experiences from lush rural landscapes to action packed buffalo races. Maria organized several opportunities to photograph people carrying out their daily activities in the fields or markets as well as an unforgettable temple ceremony. Melbourne supported our small group of eight photographers answering any and all questions and challenging us to try new techniques. It was great spending time with like-minded people exchanging tips on equipment, reference materials and travel. For me, this was the perfect follow-up to Melbourne’s courses on Digital Photography and Photoshop and I can’t wait to take another photography tour with Melbourne and Maria. No matter how many times you have been to Bali this will be unique!Debra S Wallace, JakartaI learnt more about photography in a day (Part 1 course) than whole of my life -- I am 44 now and I have owned a camera since aged 13. I have now started to understand what they mean in photography magazines when they describe settings in technical terms. I had been quite ignorant of the photography terminology. While the Part 1 helped me build my vocabulary and understanding of concepts, the Part 2 assisted me in determiningbest compositions for various situations and how to play with aperture, speed and ISO. I will recommend these courses to anyone who has or intends to buy a DSLR. Zeb Chohan, JakartaI really enjoyed the introduction photography seminar and workshop. Day one got the brain working again - it was great to finally know what all the terms mean and buttons do! The second day was good as we got to put our knowledge into practice. I"m interested in doing a walking tour to gain more practical experience and hope to create some great shots from that to takehome to Australia.Sally, JakartaI participated in the seminar "Part 1, Getting the best from your DigitalCamera" and "Part 2, Hands-On Practical Photography Workshop".Both of the seminars were fantastic and have exceeded my expectations!Everything was very well organized and prepared, since Melbourne is anexcellent teacher. He is very patient and takes the time to answer anyindividual questions.My knowledge on the lenses has enormously improved and since I got taught how to use Manual Focus all my problems with night shots have been resolved.I can only highly recommend this workshop and would recommend this course to beginners as well as experienced photographers because it is an asset.A special Thank You also to Maria, the food was delicious.I"m looking forward to participating in Melbourne"s "Adobe Photoshop"seminar and photo tours.Gertrude Enzenhofer, Jakarta
Melbourne & Maria, I spent this past weekend doing a low key photo assignment for a workshop seminar. As I worked, I had the opportunity to reflect on our photo safari to Jakarta"s Chinatown. I finally figured out what made it so unique. Other photo trips teach you and then turn you loose to fumble around on your own. The result: you miss great shots during a once in a lifetime experience. Your photo safari was unique. You coached and encouraged me the entire trip with a completely different outcome: I have once in a lifetime shots to match the experience. Your generosity in sharing your professional expertise went beyond technical tips. I saw, in action, the importance of building rapport with your subjects and the impact a photo canhave on them. I can learn "how to" photograph anywhere. With you, I learned how to BE a photographer.Every time I look at my photos from Chinatown, I realize how much you helped me realize that dream. Thank you again and again.Warmest RegardsAnn Crepin, Wakefield, MA, U S AThe photography seminars on Saturday 29th January and Sunday 30th January were awesome as my daughter would say. I am no longer mystified by all the dials and knobs on my Pentax K7. Those 2 days have helped me take photographs of my little boy this morning in a low light setting that I was not previously able to do. Your instructions and hands on assignments have elevated my knowledge and confidence drastically over the 2 days. Now I"m so looking forward to improving my skills with further seminars on photography, Adobe Photoshop and Photo Tours. I would have paid the same amount just to come around for the lunches and company. Thank you for the enlightenment......Bruno Kongawoin, JakartaI discovered so much more about my (albeit old) camera both from the pre-workshop self paced "get-to-know-your-camera" work, as well as the informative Part 1 and Part 2 workshop/seminar.There was a lot of information to absorb with Part 1 - which was all good, but I truly enjoyed the practical/hands on and interactive Part 2.Thank you for providing a safe learning environment in the comforts of your home.Thanks again to Ibu Maria for her kind and warm hospitality, and for taking such good care of us over the weekend. True professionals with a touch of grace and kindness.I look forward to your Photoshop class, and hope to find some time to join you on a photo tour!Michelle Wee, JakartaLast weekend at the Part 1 and Part 2 photography courses I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the group of people with whom I shared the learning experience. Melbourne and Maria are great ... they really make you welcome in their home and create an enjoyable environment. I enjoyed the well structured presentation and the easy-going learning environment. Melbourne encourages questions throughout the presentation. I was amazed by the wealth of knowledge he possesses and his ability to quickly access his formidable knowledge and wealth of experience to provide the answer to any question. The course is very well structured and easy to follow even for a total beginner like me. Well done Melbourne. Maria, I enjoyed your food immensely…. home cooking is the way to go!!! Certainly I know a lot more today than when I first arrived at Melbourne"s house. I now have a greater knowledge of my camera which was an unknown entity to me. I used to use it in Automatic all the time... what a waste!! Now I know what I am supposed to do with all the menu items and the various buttons. Some of Melbourne"s passion and enthusiasm for photography rubbed off on me. I am ready to spend some time becoming a better photographer rather than a snap-shot taker! Thanks Melbourne.I like Melbourne"s teaching style as it is relaxed, but passionate at the same time, using different media to introduce the concept.The courses certainly exceeded my expectation are great value for money and I will definitely recommend them to friends.Giuseppe Nicolosi, Jakarta"I have just recently attended Melbourne"s digital camera seminar, and I am reeling with inspiration. I found him to be a brilliant teacher, and a pleasant hospitable soul as well. I was given a wealth of information in one day, and Melbourne will answer any questions with unmatched patience and care. I can not wait to attend the next seminar!"Philip Iannuccilli, JakartaI travelled from Kabul, Afghanistan to Myanmar just for my 11 day photo tour/workshop with Melbourne and I must say this is one of the best holiday experiences I have had. Rising early to shoot sunrises on top of Bagan pagodas, studying the varied acquatic life of Inle Lake through our lenses and taking hundreds of shoots of locals from Yangon sellers to Buddhist monks and nuns to hill tribes up in the Eastern Shan province.Melbourne was forever patient with my many questions and I can say that I have improved my photography skills out of sight. Maria was also great with logistics in what is a challenging country to travel around. The accommodation was great, the food delicious and the wines from local vineyards were a fitting end to a busy day of shooting (before getting up for another early morning sunrise shoot). Why can’t I have Melbourne’s job? Will definitely go on another trip !Keith Morgan, KabulWe had it all ! Great photography , adventure, amazing Bagan, relaxing on the lakegood cold beer , wine tasting, can you imagine that in Myanmar......shopping !!!A great way to sharpen your skills in photography and enjoying the country as well!It was wonderful, thumbs up !!Need lots n lots of memory cards and certainly a trip not to be missed!Ndari Kartowisastro, JakartaMyanmar….another stunner from the M&M team!They prepared us well for this survey tour...Expect the unexpected; don’t have too high an expectation of the food! It will be tough; early starts and late finishes; get down and dirty.YES, we had the unexpected and it was hilarious and fun! The accommodation and food were always good and often with superb locations and ambiance. YES it was tough getting up early after sharing a bottle or two with wonderful travel companions BUT the sunrises and direction from M made it all worthwhile. AND the late finishes saw us all rushing for an Amber Nectar together to exchange stories of the days shoots.A brilliant photo-holiday orchestrated as usual with professionalism, enthusiasm, patience and humour and topped off with Maria"s usual focus and attention.Thank you both and thank you to all our other travel companions. Tony and Janis Johnston, Dubai (Returning guests)I recently returned from the Angkor Wat - Cambodia 6 day tour with Melbourne and Maria. For me this trip was perfectly organized, very well laid out, loads of fun and I learned a lot regarding my photography. Angkor Wat is such an amazing place and having Melbourne on the spot to assist us in capturing the best photos possible was invaluable. This is my second tour - Mt Bromo being my first - which was also fantastic... I love how all the small details are organized for me, gives me more time to focus on photography and not arranging touristy details.I also have to say that I previously did the Part 1 and Part 2 photography courses and then followed up with the Photoshop Session A and Session B courses. And these did set me up for a more successful tour away with all the basic knowledge on board...Thanks again Melbourne and Maria - you make a Great Team.Samantha Bowden, JakartaWhen Melbourne and Maria decided to run a trip to Myanmar we put our names down straight away, it has been on our list of "must visit" for some time. We have been on a few of their trips and they have all been great fun and so well organized, this trip was no exception. Myanmar is a magical place and our travelling companions were just wonderful. We came home with some fantastic photographs and would highly recommend the trip. Shaun & Alix Richardson, SingaporeThank you for arranging a memorable tour to Angkor Wat. I have loved developing my photography skills in such a fascinating environment. The planning and organization has been superb…..big thumbs up!!!Vanessa Chidrawi, JakartaI attended the Part 1 and Part 2 digital photography courses and learned a great deal about my camera and what I can do to make things better in my photography.I will absolutely recommend these courses to friends without reservation.Both courses were good value for money especially since the lunches were so good and plentiful.Thank you so much for a truly enjoyable adult learning experience. Lucy Mize, Jakarta (edited from the full length version)I thoroughly enjoyed your course this last weekend. Melbourne, you"re a natural teacher with great depth into the subject. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.Maria special thanks to you. Our fearless teacher could not do what he does without you quietly doing what you do.Without hesitation, I would recommend your courses.Peter Kelly, JakartaWe had a great day attending Part 1 “Getting The Best From Your Digital Camera”. I have been taking photos a while but this was my first formal "course" so it was great to pick up all those tips.We"re happy to be on your mailing list. The composition evening workshop looks great as do those trips!Thanks to Maria also for such a great meal.Matt and Tanya, JakartaPart 1 and Part 2 were inspirational and eye-opening courses that I absolutely loved. I have just started photography so I consider myself a beginner with a fancy camera that I did not know how to use before these 2 fun-filled days. This workshop was just what I needed. After reading the instruction manual of the camera, my mind was filled with questions and fears of how to use the camera, so Melbourne really answered all my questions and made me look at photography in a different light. It was a very intense course that I would highly recommend. It was a lot of information in two days, which is great because it introduces you to the complex and fascinating world of photography. Now, I can honestly say that I pay attention more to what I want to shoot, how I want to shoot and that there is actually different ways of shooting one thing, which is something that I rarely considered before or did not know how to do. The host, Maria, was a delight. She prepared amazing food which kept us going for the day and her warmth and generosity was a plus. I would love to go on one of the photo tours so that I could be able to see Melbourne at work, and see how his creative eye takes pictures. Last but not least, I will highly recommend anyone who is interested in photography and wants to get the most from their cameras to take this 2-day workshop!!Harrieth Saaf, Jakarta (edited from the full length version)From Melbourne’s Part 1 Getting the Best from your Digital Camera Seminar, I learned a lot about composition, shortcuts and tricks in Photography. He is very knowledgeable and experienced and the way he delivered the materials was very entertaining and informative. Even though I have already had my camera for over a year, after the seminar I found several capabilities in my camera that I hadn’t explored all this time. Thank you Melbourne for all your insights and your willingness to share your knowledge with us. Andy Tirtawinata, JakartaMany thanks for the excellent photography seminar and workshop last weekend. I found both sessions thoroughly enjoyable and informative and am really looking forward to putting into practice all of the useful lessons learned. The seminar and workshop were very well organized and great value for money. I will most definitely recommend both sessions to my friends and am enthusiastic to join one of the photo tours in Jakarta or further a field. Jaci Craig, JakartaI attended Part 1 and Part 2 photography workshops and enjoyed them because the knowledge imparted was very relevant. Melbourne made us feel very comfortable during the session. No question was a stupid question. The pace was spot on. Melbourne has a very lucid and layman friendly way of explaining technical concepts. He consciously tried to take every participant along with him. The workshop clearly exceeded my expectations. I have a good grasp on the basics now and think that my investment in my camera would have been somewhat wasted without this workshop. I also think that the fee is very reasonable given the true value of what we have gained. I am looking forward to attend other seminar/photo tours as well. I would highly recommend this workshop to anybody who is serious about photography. It will give you the launching pad you need to venture into the world of photography.Ali Butt, JakartaDon"t walk, run to Melbourne"s workshop. Or catch an ojek! Just get there quickly!The weekend long courses Pt 1 and Pt 2 was fantastic. I had been using my digital SLR as a point and shoot for too long.My only regret is that I didn"t do the course sooner. I will never go back to automatic settings again. One weekend is all it took to use my camera as is was intended. I"ve still a long way to go but at least I am on my way, thanks to Melbourne.Sarah Allard, JakartaMany, many thanks for a wonderful weekend enlightening an enthusiastic (yet somewhat lost) soul about the finer points of photography and what all those buttons on my camera REALLY do! The course ran at just the right pace and covered all the essentials, filling in the gaps in my knowledge and delivered in Melbourne"s trademark patient, yet passionate style. The group was small enough for us all to get some personal one on one time while being large enough for the group sessions - particularly day 2 which was very enjoyable. A special thank you to Maria for her generous help, hospitality and excellent cooking and refreshments. I look forward to seeing you both, and perhaps some of my fellow participants on a photo tour very soon.Brandon Courban, SingaporeThank you very much for the excellent Part 1 course on Saturday. From the easy-to-understand instruction, practical examples and excellent knowledge of Melbourne right down to the excellent hospitality and food, all-in-all it was a top notch day. It has certainly given me the background knowledge to take my photography to another level. I will definitely be back for Part 2. Thank you.Russell Neil, JakartaFirst of all, THANK YOU!!! It was an inspirational and eye-opening 2-day photography workshop that I absolutely loved. I have just started photography so I consider myself a beginner with a fancy camera that I did not know how to use before these 2 fun-filled days. This workshop was just what I needed. After reading the instruction manual of the camera, my mind was filled with questions and fears of how to use the camera, so Melbourne really answered all my questions and made me look at photography in a different light. It was a very intense course that I would highly recommend. It was a lot of information in two days, which is great because it introduces you to the complex and fascinating world of photography. Now, I can honestly say that I pay attention more to what I want to shoot, how I want to shoot and that there are actually different ways of shooting one thing, which is something that I rarely considered before or did not know how to do. The group size was great, especially the first day as it was a classroom setting. The second day was different as we worked on assignments. The host, Maria, was a delight. She prepared amazing food which kept us going for the day and her warmth and generosity was a plus. As Melbourne mentioned, Photoshop was used in many of the pictures to enhance them, so I am strongly considering attending a Photoshop workshop.Also, I would love to go on one of the photo tours so that I could be able to see Melbourne at work, and see how his creative eye takes pictures. Last but not least, I will highly recommend anyone who is interested in photography and wants to get the most of their cameras, to take this 2-day workshop.Harrieth Saaf, Jakarta Edited from the full length version.The insights I gained from the first 15 minutes of the course made the course worth it. So you can imagine the knowledge that I gained from the entire course! Melbourne provided a thorough, yet understandable overview of the how and why to use specific settings on my DSLR. Settings that I have been dabbling with for years. Now I am equipped with the knowledge to effectively "choose" specific settings for each of my photo opportunities as opposed to only... guessing and experimenting. Maria"s details and hospitality provided the optimal learning environment! Thanks to you both for a wonderful course!Mindy, JakartaI took the course " Getting the Best from Your Digital Camera", and also the Pt 2 Hands-On Practical workshop.i attended these classes as a "green" digital camera user and was impressed how enriched, filled with knowledge and excited I am about using my new camera. I always used a small digital camera and even found out I had ISO, Aperture, white balance and shutter priority on it after my first class. The second class was exciting, trying out all the different assignments and most of all a fantastic group, all willing to help and share their knowledge with each other. Thanks to Melbourne and Maria for the delicious spread of food and beverages.As a group we continue to share our knowledge of photography on Facebook. I am looking forward to joining some tours in the future.Bernadette Husser, JakartaIf you like photography you will love Melbourne’s photography courses, the guy is a genius and the format keeps you interested ALL the time, and teach you so much about photography in general but more to the point you can learn so much about your own camera and how to use it correctly.I would highly recommend you go as soon as possible and gain some extra knowledge from the guy who knows what he is talking about and his presentation style just makes you want to learn more and more.The food by the way is great too, the venue is perfect.Graham Hooley, Jakarta I just finished attending Melbourne’s workshop (Part 1 & Part 2), where Melbourne really simplifies photography and helps to explain and demonstrate the features of the DSLR camera. Through the practical sessions I really got to understand my camera better, no longer will I be afraid to take my camera off Auto mode. Maria also makes the time even more enjoyable though her hospitality and great food!! I would highly recommend Melbourne’s course for anyone who is new to DSLR photography or just feels that they are not getting the most from their camera.Clive Phillips, JakartaMelbourne is the photography teacher of Part 1 and Part 2. He is a nice guy, good teacher, competent in his field, well experienced, and a well known photographer for many big companies.He asked us to shoot, shoot, shoot and not be afraid to make mistakes.Now I know better about the knowledge of composition, lighting, as well as shutter speed, aperture and ISO.So, who ever wants to learn and improve their photography knowledge, I fully recommend them to attend Melbourne’s Photography workshops.Suryanata Sasmita, Jakarta I attended both the Photography, Saturday Seminar and Sunday Workshop in one weekend, tying the two together was a big plus. I thought I had a good grasp of the basics until Melbourne elucidated upon the link between Aperture/Shutter/ISO. A few practical exercises and all became so much sharper, just as I’m sure my photography will be in the future.Mike Willis, JakartaListening to Melbourne is such a great time and opportunity to learn the basics of photography. He isn’t selfish to share his expertise as a photographer. His patience in answering the questions and assisting us during the workshop was indeed superb. The time, effort and money invested on these two day course are really worth it. It’s a great and wonderful experience for me. Marissa, Jakarta (edited)I was recommended by my colleague who was very satisfied with the seminars she attended. Having attended the Part 1 and 2 sessions last weekend, I found it was really beneficial for me in getting better knowledge about all the functions of my camera and taking good photographs. I will recommend this seminar to my friends who want to know about photography. Melbourne is very helpful and welcomes questions from the class. I will definitely take the Photoshop class and join a photo tour. Thanks to Maria for your hospitality and good food.Florentina Hatmi, Jakarta (edited)If you are reading this then you are considering attending a course - don"t waste time reading any more, just sign up. I have returned home from a 2 month stay in Jakarta. My son signed me up on the two day photography course which ran on my last two days in Indonesia. I was a bit hesitant about attending, thinking that if it wasn"t good I was wasting the remainder of my time in the city. Ten minutes into the course and I knew it was going to be a great two days. Others have said all that needs to be said about Melbourne and Maria and I agree with all I"ve read. My only disappointment is that I"m not there to attend tours and Photoshop courses. Thank you Melbourne and Maria for such an educational and unforgettable experience. Jennie Brown, Cellardyke, ScotlandThank you both for a grand two days during Part 1 and Part 2! A perfect combination of deep expertise effectively and joyously shared, and gracious hospitality. I can"t believe my good luck to have found you after only a few weeks after arriving in Jakarta!Rebecca Riley, JakartaI seldom travel with groups, but constructed a vacation in Indonesia around two of Melbourne"s trips, plus two half-day photo walks, and I couldn"t have made a better choice! He, and his wife Maria, put our small groups onto very unusual cultural photo-ops that would have been extremely difficult to know about, locate, and time through usual touring services. His "how-to" advice helped me make the most of the wonderful opportunities. Walter, California, USAThank you very much for a very informative and enjoyable two days. I"m very glad I did both the seminar and the workshop and in that sequence, the theory first then the practice. I didn"t know my camera was so versatile, and I"m glad I now understand about aperture and shutter speed. Thank you for giving equal attention to the big cameras and the little point-and-shoots. I hope to join one or more or your photo tours in the future and I"m definitely interested in the Photoshop seminar. Special thanks to Maria who kept us hydrated and very, very well-fed! Phivan Wright, JakartaTo date, I’ve attended the 2 day course and joined the Chinatown tour with Melbourne and Maria. Each experience has advanced my photography skills to a considerably higher level. Melbourne’s passion and enjoyment for what he does is contagious and inspires beginners like myself to jump in and learn what the camera can and can’t do. I’ve been in undergraduate and graduate courses and have taken many industry training courses over the last 10 years or so…. I wish those instructors had the same format of instruction as you do! Tim McCullagh, JakartaWithout question this class took my understanding of my camera and the craft of photography to other level. Melbourne"s style of teaching is patient, clear and extraordinarily thorough. I would recommend this class to anyone looking to improve their understanding of their digital SLR. Thank you to Maria and Melbourne for a wonderful (and inspiring) experience.Rebekah Pinto, JakartaIf you are looking for growth and inspiration, attend Melbourne"s two-day photography seminar and workshop. My camera manual never made much sense to me….sounded like another language. After only the first day, I re-read the manual and there I was practicing what it was explaining for another two hours. Melbourne made the miracle happen. He"s an outstanding presenter who lives his passion through every spoken word or photo that he shared with us. I learned so much and became inspired to really use my camera the way it could be used--not just as a point-and-shoot. Maria was a lovely host presenting drinks, snacks, and a lovely lunch throughout the entire weekend. It was a weekend well spent.Helen Bugno, JakartaDuring the 2 day workshop, I found that Melbourne has an innate nature for passing on his knowledge regarding photography. A dedicated teacher who is willing to share his techniques on getting a good photograph, and a detailed analyst who will help you find the best solution to all your photography problems. I hope to see the results in a leap of improvement in my pictures, till then I know that Melbourne will always be there to help me. Catch the moment,Lina Herlintje, JakartaI found the courses to be a lot of fun, very interesting, with a lot to learn. Because I am considering photography as a profession I loved your photographs all around the house, loved the drinks fridge and loved Maria"s cooking!I am interested in joining a weekend or longer photo tour maybe to Myanmar and Angkor Wat.Thanks again.Asher (age 16) Jakarta I recently took the "Part 1 Getting the Best from Your Digital Camera" Seminar with Melbourne, and I was amazed by how much good and valuable information he was able to impart to us. I feel like the scales fell from my eyes and I can now see! I look forward to taking "Part 2 Hands-On Practical Workshop" and putting it all to use, and I have already started eyeing the photo tours.Melbourne has an awesome style that draws you in and makes you feel like a part of the family. He"s open, approachable and a wealth of knowledge. It"s as if I"ve known Melbourne and Maria for years!John Graves, JakartaAs a serious enthusiast when it comes to photography I was surprised at how much Melbourne covered with a large group, in a short period of time and also his passion to teach us fellow learners. Even knowing some of the basics, I was surprised to learn a lot! He makes the hard things seem so much easier to remember and understand! And with a guy like Melbourne you aren"t shy to ask silly questions! If you do have the chance to take a workshop with him, I do recommend it.Jonathan Raho, JakartaMelbourne’s class was awesome! Who knew my little camera was such a technological gem. The class was easy to follow and Melbourne was interesting and engaging. I put my new found information into use that very night. I went out with friends and took the camera off the Auto settings and specialized everything that I had learned earlier that day. When it was picture time we all passed our cameras to the waiter and when we were reviewing, everyone said that my pictures came out so much better and, wanted copies. I am truly happy and satisfied I can’t wait to take part 2 and a walking tour.NataliaThe success of a photo tour isn"t just about the location, you need a good teacher who you enjoy spending time with. Melbourne is easy going and very helpful. He helps you hands on, gives clear direction and gives you space to work on your own. He and Maria were a pleasure to travel with. I hope to have the opportunity to join another photo tour with Melbourne in the near future. The Myanmar tour submerses you in the Burmese culture. It was a non-stop action packed well organized photographic delight.Troy Stephenson, JakartaA real challenge for instructors, particularly in travel photography is to place the photography needs of their participants before their own. And Melbourne is really cool with this. On my first trip with him to Myanmar, he was approachable, patient, practical and considerate of our individual needs; and our schedule was geared to being in the right place at the right time. I liked the photo opps with locals, Maria and Melbourne’s gesture of giving photos taken from previous trips back to the "subjects", their choice of local guides who were excellent and the variety of locations. It was a worthwhile and memorable experience with like-minded travel buddies!! A great two weeks, thanks M n M. Louise Gilbert, an Aussie in SingersWhen asked if it was worth going on the tour with Melbourne to Angkor Wat, my answer is ABSOLUTELY!!!!. Through Melbourne and Maria’s years of experience and contacts, they had us concentrating exclusively on taking spectacular pictures of iconic places, and honing our craft. The tour gave us unprecedented access to areas of Angkor Wat that not only would have been overlooked but would also have been filled with tourists. In addition, not only was the tour filled with a gracious teacher, but Maria’s leadership and nurturing manner, made me us feel as though we were on a luxury tour! Thank you so much for one of the best experiences of my life! Can’t wait for the next adventure!”Priti Obhrai-Martin. JakartaThank you for being wonderful, generous and insightful hosts for our group at Angkor.It is an exceptional talent to be both relaxed and organized and I admire your work.Melissa Lee, Jakarta
